A SUPPORT service for people with mental health problems is looking for help to expand the services it offers.

CornerHouse is based in Woking’s Courtenay Road and the umbrella centre brings together mental health services under one roof to provide information and support.

The current major project at the centre is the establishment of a games room. Following government legislation banning smoking in public buildings, CornerHouse will be turning the smoking room into a games room. The centre needs financial support to create the room or donation of equipment.

The two main items needed are a pool table and an electronic dartboard. While the room is the current project, the centre is always looking out for financial support and ways to raise the profile of mental health issues.

Paul Field, director of services, said: “It’s important to raise the profile of mental health because it’s a Cinderella service within the NHS.

“But people’s mental health problems don’t go away after office hours. We are the local hub for non-statutory mental health services. CornerHouse is in the voluntary sector and comprises various self-help groups and therapy.”

Despite funding from Surrey County Council and premises provided by the NHS, CornerHouse is still reliant on donations and various fundraising projects.

Mr Field said: “Myself and one of the trustees raised £3,000 by running the London Marathon this year. We will also be looking to do the Great South Run. It was great to raise so much from people involved in mental health locally.

“It came from within the community. We are also looking for longer-term funding.”

Mr Field added: “The statistic commonly quoted is that one in four of us will have a mental health problem in our lifetime. Nobody is free of it because they will either have a brush with it themselves or have friends or family affected.”

The group has expanded its services over the years and one of its success stories is Shifa, an emotional support group for Asian women.

Mr Field said: “An Asian woman came to see me and said there was nothing for them in the area so we worked for three or four years to the point where they have got full- time workers.

“They are very successful, providing a valuable service to Asian women. We are here to help groups start up and get funding.”